Funding and offers to help your business grow
From grant funding with Metrick, the North East’s specialist grants consultancy, to exclusive offers from partners across the First Connections network.
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success rate on grant applications
£0k
average grant approved
£0.0m
recent grant scheme delivered by Metrick
£0
upfront cost to find out what you're eligible for
How does it work?
Four steps, and Metrick does the heavy lifting in most of them. No jargon, no upfront cost, no forms longer than they need to be.
- 01
Register your interest
The short form below: a few details about your business and what you’re hoping to fund.
- 02
Free discovery call
A friendly, no-obligation conversation with Metrick about your goals and eligibility.
- 03
Matched to grants
Metrick pinpoints the schemes your business is actually eligible for. No jargon.
- 04
They handle it
Applications and submissions managed end to end while you get on with running your business.
Who’s it for?
North East businesses at every stage. If any of these sound like you, there’s likely a scheme worth a conversation.
Start-ups & early-stage founders
Pre-revenue or just getting going, there are schemes designed for exactly this stage.
Established SMEs & scale-ups
Growth, innovation and capital investment funding for trading businesses stepping up.
Charities, CICs & social enterprises
Community and social-impact funding, from small local pots to national programmes.
Manufacturers & industrial businesses
Made Smarter, decarbonisation and process improvement schemes built for makers.
Net-zero & decarbonisation projects
Retrofit, renewables and energy efficiency funding, like the £2.7m scheme Metrick helped deliver.
Not sure you fit?
Register anyway. The discovery call exists to answer exactly that, and it costs nothing.
Register your interest →Let’s find the funding you’re eligible for
Tell us a little about your business and we’ll set up your free discovery call with Metrick.
First Connections, powered by Metrick
- Free for the community to explore
- Managed end to end: research, paperwork and submission
- Built for the North East
- Confidential and no obligation
Prefer email? hello@first-connections.co.uk
Questions about funding
Does it cost anything to explore?
No. The discovery call is free, with no obligation and no upfront cost. If you go ahead with an application, Metrick will be clear about how they work and any fees before you commit to anything.
Do I need to attend the coffee mornings to use this?
No. There's no membership at First Connections and nothing to join. Funding support is open to any North East business, whether or not you've ever been to an event.
What kind of grants can Metrick help with?
Everything from innovation and R&D schemes to regional growth and decarbonisation funding. Metrick recently helped deliver a £2.7 million retrofit scheme, so the net stretches from small local pots to major projects. The discovery call works out what your business is eligible for.
Who sees my details?
Your submission goes to the First Connections team, who pass it to Metrick to arrange your call. It isn't shared with anyone else and doesn't add you to a marketing list.
How quickly will I hear back?
Typically within 1 to 2 business days to arrange the discovery call. After that, timescales depend on the grant scheme, and Metrick will give you an honest picture on the call.
Offers from around the network
Deals and support from partners across the First Connections network. Open to everyone in the community, no membership required.
Ironing & laundry service
The Ironing Man
10% off ironing and laundry for the First Connections community
How to claim: Quote code NCL10 when booking. We're confirming the final code with the partner.
Business tools bundle
Business Service Hub
Bookkeeping software, Microsoft 365, cyber security, Dropbox and four hours of chartered accountant support a year, for £24.99 a month + VAT
How to claim: Email hello@first-connections.co.uk and we'll get you set up.
Workspace & business support
North East BIC
A free co-working day pass, plus 10% off your first meeting room booking
Workspace across Sunderland, Darlington and Washington from the not-for-profit that's helped over 7,000 people start businesses.
How to claim: Book through ne-bic.co.uk and mention First Connections.
Local community app
Roam
Local news, offers and events in one free app, plus listings for local businesses
How to claim: Download Roam free on the App Store or Google Play.
Technology & business improvement
SurgoTech Solutions
A free one-hour discovery call, or 40% off a business process audit (£895 down to £537)
How to claim: Visit their website and mention First Connections.